A sea shanty and a book have been written about a shipwrecked sailor whose remains were discovered on the Cornish coast.
Bury My Bones, written by Cornish musician Toby Lobb (Fisherman’s Friends, Loveridge), and Give Him a Little Earth, written by local author Gareth Rees, will be performed at a series of events to raise money for a headstone to mark the sailor’s final resting place.
In November 2022, skeletal remains were found on a cliff above Newtrain Bay, Trevone, following a storm. Radiocarbon dating indicate the remains most likely date from the 18th century, and analysis of the bones and distinctive wear on his teeth, believed to have been caused by biting rope, give strong evidence to suggest he was a sailor.
Following agreement with Padstow Town Council, the remains are due to be reinterred at Padstow Cemetery next year. And to mark the grave, which will also be used for further storm-washed remains as and when they are discovered within the parish, Cornwall Council has commissioned a local artist to carve a bespoke headstone in tribute to all those lost at sea.
Cornwall Council, Cornwall Heritage Trust and Cornwall National Landscape Team have organised a series of fundraising events, including sea-shanty and storytelling evenings, a talk by the archaeologist who excavated the remains and a children’s activity workshop to fund the headstone.
Councillor Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder for Environment and Climate Change at Cornwall Council, said: “This man’s story has really captured the hearts and minds of the local community and I’m delighted that there will be a fitting memorial for his final resting place.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped organise these events which help bring this man’s story to life.”
Tickets for the events, which are listed below, must be pre-booked. Any additional funds raised will be donated to Padstow RNLI.
Archaeological talk: Thursday, October 10
Dr Richard Mikulski from Cornwall Archaeological Unit will talk about the excavation of the remains and the findings from analysis of the bones so far.
Organised by Cornwall Heritage Trust, this event will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday, October 10, at Padstow Social Club. Suggested ticket donation of £10. You can book via Eventbrite.
Booking launch and Q&A: Friday, October 11
Gareth Rees will be launching his new book entitled Give Him Some Earth which features four short stories giving different fictional accounts of the sailor’s life. Attendees will receive a signed copy of the book and a tote bag.
This event will also feature a Q&A session with Dr Mikulski and Ann Reynolds, Strategic Historic Environment Senior Officer at Cornwall Council.
It will take place at Padstow Church between 2pm and 4pm. Tickets cost £15 and are available on the Cornwall National Landscape website.
Children’s Discovery Club: Saturday, October 12
Cornwall Heritage Trust is hosting a children’s workshop at Padstow Community Hub between 10.30am and 12 noon.
Aimed at 8 to 14 year-olds, children will have a go at being archaeological detectives. Tickets cost £9.38 per child. You can book via Eventbrite.
Story-telling and sea-shanty evening: Saturday, October 12
The Cornwall National Landscape team is hosting a story and shanty evening at Trevone Beach Cafe, starting at 6pm.
Toby Lobb from the Fisherman’s Friends will be performing a shanty written in memory of the sailor and Gareth Rees will be reading some of the stories from his book, a copy of which will be given to attendees. The evening will also include music from other musicians.
Tickets cost £20 and are available from the Cornwall National Landscape website.
Press release issued on September 25, 2024